Bassmaster Tour

Bassmaster is bringing their Hulk series kayak tour. to Lake Fork. They are allowing electric driven kayaks to fish,
More on the Bassmaster site.

Not sure how I feel about electric motors in Kayak tournaments...unless someone has a disability.

In fairness, the same can be said about pedals, but electric seems to negate a key aspect of kayaks (i.e.: human power)

Why not allow bass buster type bosts with trolling motors then?

Agree with you on electric motors. May as well allow any boat with a trolling motor. I disagree on pedal kayaks. Still the user propelling the kayak with human power.

I heard about Bassmaster starting a kayak division, but not the motor part. That’s silly, in my opinion.

Now those that have pedals will know how those that only use paddles feel. I'm all for it.

Since this is a start up, I think it will all shake out in the wash. It will be interesting is how they define kayaks.

They will define kayaks as anyone with $250 and a trolling motor.

Make the change Lewis!

Come to the dark side....Then, and only then, will you know the TRUE power of your kayak fishing skills.

Paddling around is for ducks, pedals are for men. **You can still paddle around if you want, I do. I like the feeling of it, its fun. BUT on long runs against the wind, pedals all day.

Yep. I’ve had both and I’m a convert. And you can still use your paddle. Make the change.

Lewis paddles those old school fishing yaks though like the Tarpon...thin and long and fast. He is much faster than the newer more "modern" SOT yaks that are built more for stability and space for gear than speed or maneuverability. That said... he would still enjoy a pedal yak I bet!

Come to the dark side Lewis... it beckons you.

I really wanted to like pedal drives and have tried a few out over the years. For fishing they are great, enough stability to stand, carrying a lot more gear, and more or less hands free to fish. The downside in my mind were all the other things. First and foremost was the weight of all the wider boats. If I can't lift it over my head, I'm going to have to get a pickup or a trailer. Well I acquired a trailer for when I need to take multiple kayaks (sister's grandkids), but the rest of the time its just me. I've slowed down to fishing only about 50 days a year over the last 6 years. At one time, I was fishing/kayaking 100+ days a year.

Kayaks are supposed to be simple. Load, unload, fish, or just paddle. Where I fished for years a pedal drive just wouldn't work without breaking stuff and in my case, I would have probably had to be rescued if I had pedal drive. Those wider boats are a beast to paddle into wind, current, or rough water and I've seen too many pedal drives break on oyster bars, mangrove roots, and every where else the fish seem to be. To me a skinny kayak is much more stable in the worst conditions. The wind has much less effect sitting so much lower to the water and so much less kayak sticking above the surface.

I haven't ruled one out but if I get too old to lift, I might just get something big and heavy with either pedals or spotlock for the Bass Kayak Tour.

Headed back over to the Everglades (where paddled kayaks excel) and Florida Keys next month and counting down the days.









PM me if anyone wants to join me... bring your paddle.